Live in the Amazon Rainforest and help with vital conservation work

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Live in the Amazon Rainforest and work to protect wildlife and indigenous plants by joining our Rainforest Conservation Project in Peru. You’ll be on the frontlines of rainforest conservation, which could be valuable for your future career.

Wake up to the sounds of the jungle, explore the rainforest by foot, on the river, or on the highest canopy walkway in South America. You’ll help rehabilitate wild animals and become part of our ongoing efforts to preserve this unique ecosystem for future generations. You’ll work closely with our team of experienced conservation experts at the award-winning Taricaya Ecological Reserve. The reserve has been rated the best rescue centre in Peru by local government.

This is a fantastic, once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to learn what it takes to protect the rainforest on the ground!

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Flexi Trips > Peru > Rainforest Conservation

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Volunteers / Interns

ChildrenAges 3-14(reduced price)

Children aged 3-14 must be accompanied by at least one adult paying full price

We offer discounts for families and groups of friends travelling together. Call us on 1300 132 831 for more info.

Please note this calculator is for pricing information only. You will need to choose your final dates and duration on our application form.

Personalised MyProjectsAbroad website, with all the information you need about your project, accommodation and destination

A free cultural awareness course

Membership to our volunteer social media groups, to share information and to get in touch

Support to help you complete registration or internship documents, if applicable

What's not included?

Flights

Visa costs (where applicable)

Is Conservation volunteer work in Peru right for me?

This project is ideal for adventurers and thrill-seekers with a passion for nature and the outdoors. This is a once in a lifetime chance to live in the heart of the Amazon Rainforest!

On top of making a difference, you will gain plenty of practical conservation experience. You’ll work closely with some of the top minds of biology and rainforest conservation.

If you have an interest in conservation, biology, or environmental science, you’ll enjoy the hands-on fieldwork, and you’ll contribute to ongoing research projects. You’ll need to be comfortable with getting your hands dirty, and be willing to skip some home comforts!

You don’t need previous experience to join. You’ll be supervised by experts, and our staff are always available to provide guidance and advice.

The project runs all year round, so you can join whenever it suits your schedule. The minimum duration is one week, but we recommend staying longer to have an even greater impact.

What will I do on this Rainforest Conservation Project in Peru?

There’s always a lot to be done at Taricaya! Here are some of the activities you can get involved in:

Collect data on different plant and animal species for biodiversity studies

Assist with the animal rescue, rehabilitation, and release programme

Help staff with endangered butterfly and turtle breeding programmes

Tend crops like bananas, avocados, and chillies on a pilot farm

Raise awareness in communities about sustainable living

Your conservation work will focus on these main areas:

Collect data

By observing and recording details about the species you see during surveys, you’ll help us better understand how to protect them. This type of work can include:

Bird censuses conducted from a canopy platform

Collecting video footage using camera traps

Recording data on species characteristics during trail hikes

With the help of your work, we produce a technical report every year to demonstrate our environmental impact. The data for these reports comes directly from our volunteers’ daily observations. Thanks to this work, Taricaya is increasingly recognised internationally as a research centre. It has contributed a number of important research papers at international conferences, especially in the field of ornithology.

Animal release programme

At Taricaya, we run an animal release programme. This work involves our project partner, Animal Defenders International (ADI). ADI confiscates illegal pets or circus animals. We then rehabilitate them at the rescue centre, and release them into the wild if possible. These are usually endangered species like scarlet macaws, whose populations are steadily decreasing in the Amazon.

You’ll help with feeding these animals and doing general maintenance. This includes tasks like cleaning enclosures or repairing fences. Although this may sound like menial work, it’s a chance to get up close to beautiful wildlife, while also helping prepare them for a life of freedom. For animals raised in captivity who can’t be released, you’ll be helping to give them the quality of life they deserve.

Breeding programmes

You’ll also help with our turtle breeding programme and do things like patrolling riverbanks for turtle nests, collecting the eggs, and incubating them at the centre. This protects them from poachers. When the eggs hatch, watching hatchlings scurry across the sand making their way to water is a heart-warming moment! It also makes a huge impact on the populations of these species in the wild.

You’ll also help with catching and breeding endangered butterflies. Our butterfly catching methods are completely safe and leave the butterflies unharmed. We can then house them in optimal conditions, help them breed, and study their behaviour.

Pilot farm

We have a pilot farm where we work on developing and perfecting sustainable farming techniques. We then teach local people about sustainable farming to reduce the negative impact of farming in the area. Your role is to tend the crops and help us raise awareness about sustainable farming.

We also run a mahogany programme. We grow mahogany trees close together and study them. This shows local loggers that this is a cost-effective alternative to cutting down trees from the rainforest. We are also able to share the timber from these trees to use in production. You will help with maintaining the plantation and taking measurements.

Raise awareness

We work to raise awareness about conservation on both a local and a global level. Through research and publications, Taricaya provides groundbreaking data that draws attention to the work we’re doing in the Amazon. You’ll be involved in collecting this data and contributing to large-scale research work.

You can also help with raising awareness about conservation in local communities. For example, you could run a recycling competition in a local school. Or you could conduct a workshop on the small things people can do to combat climate change.

Project partners

Projects Abroad has funded, staffed, and run the Taricaya Ecological Reserve for over a decade. For this reason, we rely heavily of volunteer support to keep the centre running. Since we opened the reserve, we’ve worked with the local community and the government. This ensures that the data we collect contributes towards the future of the Amazon Rainforest. We’re proud to support such a growing force in the area of rainforest conservation.

We’ve also partnered with Animal Defenders International, who provide valuable support for our work rehabilitating wild animals. Many of these animals have been confined at circuses in horrifying conditions for most of their lives.

Where in Peru will I work?

Puerto Maldonado

You’ll live and work at the central camp at Taricaya Ecological Reserve, which is located in the Amazon Rainforest. The camp is a one-hour boat ride from the nearest town, Puerto Maldonado, situated in southeast Peru near the border with Bolivia.

Most of the work that you’ll do is based in and around the camp, and within the Taricaya Ecological Reserve.

AIRPORT PICKUP, FLIGHTS AND VISAS

When you arrive at your respective airport, a member of Projects Abroad staff will be there to meet you. You can find more detailed information on arrival airports, orientation, and visas on our Peru Arrival Procedures page.

A typical day doing volunteer Conservation work in Peru

During your project, you’ll follow a timetable and normally work between four and six hours each day. You’ll start work at around 8am and then break at 11:30am as the day warms up. You’ll begin work again in the cooler afternoons from about 3:30pm to 5:30pm.

Your project work runs from Monday to Friday with your weekends free.

In the morning, you can do things like feeding the animals at the rescue centre, working in the pilot farm, or collecting data on spider monkeys.

You’ll break for lunch to avoid the midday heat. During this time, you can relax, read a book, or chat to your fellow volunteers.

After your break, you’ll do things like a bird census or working in the butterfly house. Keep in mind that some of the work is seasonal and you will work on various different tasks during your time in Peru.

During your free time, you can make the most of your stunning surroundings. You can go on group hikes or play board games with the other volunteers.

Over the weekend, you’ll have the option to go to Puerto Maldonado by boat.

What are the aims and impact of this Rainforest Conservation Project?

The main aim of this project is to conserve the diverse plants and animals of the Amazon Rainforest.

The Amazon Rainforest is under constant threat from various issues. These include:

Agriculture

Logging

Poaching

Smuggling

Pollution

Mining

Urbanisation

Not enough is done to protect and preserve the unique wildlife and vegetation.

Our project at Taricaya works to rehabilitate an area previously damaged by human activities, such as gold mining and farming. We conduct surveys throughout the area to track the rehabilitation of local wildlife and vegetation, and reintroduce species previously found in the area.

We also help local people avoid causing damage to the environment. They help us with our conservation projects and we help them with their farming. You’ll become part of these efforts, and help us run a model farm. Through the farm, we pass on ideas and techniques for more sustainable farming to local farmers.

We have outlined four main goals in our Conservation Management Plan for Peru. These are:

Restore natural ecosystems

Protect local wildlife

Monitor habitats

Raise awareness of the importance of protecting the environment

Join our Rainforest Conservation Project today and help protect the wildlife of Peru.

Management Plans

We set out the aims and objectives of our projects in documents called Management Plans. We use them to properly plan the work you’ll do. They also help us measure and evaluate our achievements and impact each year.

Ultimately, our Management Plans help us make our projects better. This in turn means you get to be part of something that makes a real impact where it’s needed. Read more about our Management Plans.

Measuring Our Impact

Our projects work towards clear long-term goals, with specific annual objectives. Every volunteer and intern we send to these projects helps us work towards these goals, no matter how long they spend on our projects.

Every year we take a step back and look at how much progress we've made towards these goals. We put together a Global Impact Report, which documents our achievements. Find out more about the impact our global community of volunteers, interns and staff make, and read the latest report.

All of the activities we participated in took place within the jungle and contributed to the bigger picture of conserving this majestic environment that few people have ever experienced.

Geography has always fascinated me and the opportunity provided by Projects Abroad to live in the rainforest for five weeks and carry out my fieldwork has proved only to further fuel both my passion for the subject and my love of travelling.

FOOD AND ACCOMMODATION

You'll share accommodation with other Projects Abroad volunteers during your stay the Taricaya Ecological Reserve. This is a great way to get to know your fellow volunteers, share experiences, and explore your surroundings in your free time together. Each bungalow sleeps four people, and has a private bathroom.

The accommodation is safe, clean, and comfortable. Your programme fees include three meals a day.

LEISURE ACTIVITIES AND FREE TIME

Peru is a vibrant country with a mix of activities for every kind of volunteer. Whether you’re into arts, culture, history, or nature, there’s sure to be something for you!

One of the biggest attractions of Peru is the Inca history. There are awe-inspiring archaeological sites like Coricancha, Tambomachay, and of course, Machu Picchu.

Over a weekend, you can take a trip to the village of Pisac, where you can browse bright, eye-catching textile markets. Don’t miss out on seeing the llamas and alpacas too!

There are also lively restaurants, the perfect place to spend an evening relaxing and enjoying local cuisine, like ceviche.

We run a variety of projects in Peru so you’ll likely meet many other volunteers on your trip. It’s the perfect opportunity to connect and travel as a group. However, you’re welcome to travel independently if you prefer.

SAFETY AND STAFF SUPPORT

Your safety and security is our prime concern. We have many procedures and systems to ensure you have the support you need to enjoy your trip with peace of mind. Our Projects Abroad staff are available 24 hours a day to help, and will be on-hand to make sure you settle in well at your accommodation and placement. If you encounter any problems, they will be available to help at any time.

Meet the team in Peru

Irazema Arizabal

Country Director

Irazema became part of the Peru team in January 2003. She was born and raised in Cusco and studied Business Administration at the National University of Cusco. She previously worked as a pre-school teacher and later an analyst credit investigator for various financial companies. In her spare time she enjoys reading, watching movies and travelling, as well as meeting and interacting with new people.

Meet the team in Peru

Santiago Paiva

Assistant Manager

Santiago is a tourism student from Cusco. He enjoys interacting with the volunteers, showing them around the city and sharing his culture. Santiago loves sport, especially football, and plays whenever he gets the chance.

Meet the team in Peru

Yessika Espinoza

Care Supervisor

Yessika joined Projects Abroad in December 2006 after previously working for an NGO and a bank. She enjoys being able to work with young children as part of her job. In her free time she likes spending time with her family in Cuzco and socialising with the volunteers.

Meet the team in Peru

Daniel O'Shea

Inca Project Supervisor

Daniel was a volunteer on the Inca Project for three months from May 2007 before returning in September to join the staff team as our supervisor for the Inca Project. He works with the volunteers on each of the different areas of the project, from community work to excavations and expeditions.

Meet the team in Peru

Jessica Marroquín Pasache

Teaching Supervisor

Jessica was born in Arequipa. She has a degree in business administration and finished her masters in project investment. She has more than 14 years’ experience teaching English in different language schools, working with teenagers and children in both Cusco and Lima. In her spare time, she enjoys travelling with her family, meeting new people and exploring places she has never been before.

Meet the team in Peru

Stuart Timson

Director

Stuart is from Cheltenham, England, but has been living and working in Peru since 1998. He studied Biology at Oxford University before getting involved with conservation in the field. After spending several years guiding for eco-lodges in both Peru and Bolivia he set up the Taricaya Lodge on the Madre de Dios river from scratch in 2001. In his spare time Stuart can turn his hand to most sports.

Meet the team in Peru

Jhon Valencia

Archaeologist

Jhon was born in Huacarpay, a town close to Cusco. He is an archeologist and has worked at many sites in and around the city. Jhon has been with Projects Abroad for over 10 years, and accompanies and assists volunteers during their project. He enjoys exploring Peru, sharing the country’s history and explaining his culture to people.

Meet the team in Peru

Fernando Rosemberg

Project Manager

An ex-gold miner now dedicated to conservation, Fernando administers the day-to-day running of the lodge. He is the longest serving staff member there from the start with Stuart. His English is excellent and his 20 years of experience in the jungle gives him great all round knowledge. His family in Puerto Maldonado runs a small hotel where volunteers usually spend the weekend.

Meet the team in Peru

Delsi Espinoza Masias

Assistant Archaeologist

Delsi is an archeologist and has worked at many investigations, including monitoring different archeological sites around Cusco, where she was born. She also worked as an archeologist for the Municipality of Cusco. In her free time she enjoys travelling, getting to know new places, hiking and dancing.

Meet the team in Peru

Jenny Mendoza La Madrid

Peru Office Assistant

Jenny was born in Lima and moved to Cusco to join Projects Abroad in January 2017. She has studied and worked in Peru, Switzerland and the USA. Jenny is passionate about social work and communication; because of this, she has volunteered in various institutions to support developing communities. Jenny loves spending time at the beach, eating Pachamanca (a traditional Andean dish) and listening to 80s music.

Meet the team in Peru

Rachel Kilby

Lodge Administrator

Rachel has been working with Projects Abroad for 8 years and as a trained biologist she has specialised in the field of ornithology. A qualified bird bander Rachel is out in the field a lot collecting data whilst helping with the daily running of the project.

Meet the team in Peru

Elvira Rosemberg

Volunteer Advisor

Elvira joined the Projects Abroad team in January 2010. She is originally from Lima, but has been living in Puerto Maldonado for many years now. She knows Taricaya and the local town very well and is happy to assist volunteers on their trips into town. Elvira will be in touch with all Peru Conservation Project volunteers before they arrive and she also meets the volunteers at the Puerto Maldonado airport.

Meet the team in Peru

Claudia Arendse

Volunteer Advisor

Claudia joined Projects Abroad in October 2013. She was born and raised in Cape Town, where she graduated at Cape Peninsula University of Technology with a National Diploma in Tourism Management. She is passionate about working with and meeting different people from different cultures. In her spare time she enjoys the outdoors, travelling domestically and exploring new places.

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